Field Trip Festival: 3 Bands You Can’t Miss on Saturday and Sunday

The 2nd year of the Arts & Crafts festival Field Trip kicks off a bigger and theoretically better music event this year. They have kept the same great venue, at historic Fort York and Garrison Common. They have kept headliners Broken Social Scene, too. They have expanded to two days, which means more great bands, and more forehead-slapping conflicts you might need to deal with.

Since there are a limited number of bands, recommending 10 bands would be like saying “Here, go see every band.” Instead, we’ll narrow it down to 3 Can’t Miss bands on each of the 2 days. Since the headliners are well, the headliners, you don’t need to be told to see them, either.

We’ll be covering the event, so check back for photos and reviews, and follow us on Twitter @PeteHatesMusic to see if we actually leave the beer tent.

SATURDAY

First of all, gates open at 1:30pm and you can glance at the schedule below.

The Darcys – The Toronto rockers dropped a near flawless album, with single after single proving a hit in the indie world. Don’t be late to the fun.

Austra – In 2011, we named their album as our favourites of the year. In 2013, their next album was #3 in our year end charts. In other words, we like them. We think you will, too – check out the dancey, gothy, operatic singing of the unique band, also from Toronto.

Austra – Lose It

Half Moon Run – A stunning debut from the Montreal band have kept them touring for quite some time. As their gear up for another album, be sure to catch their energy in a live setting.

SUNDAY

Feast your eyes on the schedule below.

Gord Downie, The Sadies – One part of this band is the singer of the quintessential Canadian band, the Tragically Hip, while the other part are merely the Sadies. Just joshin’ ya, Sadies. The band combined forces for a record with a punky sound, yet the unmistaken voice of Canadian radio over the past couple of decades, thanks to singer Gord Downie.

Constantines – The Guelph, Ontario rockers are back! Praised for their live show, these Juno nominees return to the stage after a lengthy hiatus.

CHVRCHES – PHM favourites, judging by not one but two live show reviews. Oh, and an interview with them. And judging by our picture, they love Canada, so why wouldn’t they come?

It’s really hard to go wrong with this solid line up, but if this helps you solve a few conflicts, I’ll sleep better at night. Enjoy the fun, and find us on Twitter @PeteHatesMusic.